Experiment
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Definition: |
A series of processes that are carried out to support or disprove a hypothesis.
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Test
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Definition: |
A component of an experiment that defines the hypothesis, materials, procedures and collection methods.
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Trial
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Definition: |
The number of times you carry out a test.
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| Hypothesis |
Definition: |
The educated guess you make at the beginning of a trial
and try to answer, by asking the following questions:
What do you already know?
What do you think the answer is?
What do you think will happen and why?
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| Data |
Definition: |
The record of what occurs throughout the test.
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| Constants |
Definition: |
The elements that you keep the same throughout the test.
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| Independent variables |
Definition: |
The elements that you change throughout the test.
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| Dependent variables |
Definition: |
The elements that change because you change the independent
variables.
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| Procedure |
Definition: |
The steps you follow to carry out the test and conduct
the experiment.
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Materials
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Definition: |
The list of resources you need to do the test.
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| Results |
Definition: |
The outcome of carrying out the procedure. Results must
be collected and written down on some type of data collection
form.
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| Conclusion |
Definition: |
The final statement that reviews the experiment by:
- Showing or proving the results of the test.
- Deciding whether the hypothesis was correct or incorrect.
- Analysing whether the test was valid, i.e. if the
test was repeated would the same conclusions be reached?
- Looking at how the test can be improved, i.e. what
would you do differently next time?
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